Talks - Teaching Hinduism to Non-Hindus

Teaching Hinduism to Non-Hindus

Teaching Hinduism to Non-Hindus

Satguru Bodhinatha Veylanswami
, 2004-01-03

Bodhinatha presented his insights on how best to teach Hinduism to non-Hindus, especially students. He likes to share the Hindu understanding of the four purusharthas (goals of life): dharma (duty, virtuous living), artha (wealth), kama (pleasure) and moksha (spiritual liberation). Artha and kama are such a universal human experience and goal. By sharing this, people soon learn that Hindus are not all that different from themselves, as they also pursue wealth and love in their lives. Also, he shares the beliefs in karma and reincarnation, things they know about, which are quite common in their lives, in movies and such. Even non-Hindus believe in karma and reincarnation, as is seen in so many popular films. Yoga is a third common element. There are yoga classes and studios everywhere, in every US city. When you mention that yoga is a Hindu practice, people once again see that Hindus are like themselves, and this takes away the misunderstandings that are sometimes taught in schools and texts about Hinduism.